Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-19

until the bend IN the corridor hid him from
view, and then burst into such BIT OF
laughter that he nearly tumbled down the
steps. / looked at him in amazement.
The next morning, after q light repast,
as ] was sitting in my room struggling to
close an overcrowded valise, l heard the
noise of carriage and the trampilg OF
horses as it drew up before the door of the
hotel. 1t was precisely II o'clock NJ, and
NJ. and Nine. Gregorio were returning from
their drive. l rushed to the window
to see if possible this charming woman,
whose name was forever on her husbands
lips but ! was too late; she had already
descended from the carriage and Gregorio
was in the act of lifting from the seat an
enormous cluster of magnificent roses.
Upon the box sumptuous, magisterial
eoachman restrained pair of fiery thor
oughbreds A second later the horses
started and the binding glitter of the pol
ished harness disappeared from view in the
golden reflections OF beautiful sun.
Enraged at having missed for the second
time so fine an opportunity for seeing Nine.
Gregorio threw myselfupon the obstinate
valise and, with such determined energy,
that il closed in a second.
Why, have you packed so soon@' cried
voice at the door, and looking up from
my work ! saw standing upon the thresh-
old the man of whom | had been thinking.
" And your knee, he continued, is it
better or worse?"
Better, of course. Present my compli-
ments to your wife and say that her rene
dy was magical. | failed to see her when
she arrived while ago; she was with you,
of courseP
Failed to see her p he repeated with
look of bewilderment clouding his face.
q How did it happen2 Why, | counted
upon presenting you to Nine. Gregorlo at
breakfast, but since you are going away
we must defer it until another time. By
The way, we shall meet at Hyeres; l have
spoken to Lucie about il and she is anxious
to go"
''How did you find the Bots to-day?n
Delightful the crisp air, the brilliant
sunshine, the wild but soundless gallop of
the horses over the carpet of snow exhila-
rated Lucie like draught of wine. l could
hardly get her home. Really, NJ. Biron,"
continued Gregorio, = the exaggerated curl
osity of the public about my wife is begin
ming to give me great annoyance; that is
why always travel in my own carriage. /
cannot go ten steps with Lueie on my arm
before we are surrounded with crowd.
She seems to exercise over others the same
fascination she does over me. The delicate
lines of her figure are so slight so fragile,
that they can only be described by that I'M
translatable English word ethereal Had
you seen her walking under the maple
trees this morning as light, as graceful as
piece of thistle down, perhaps you would
have understood, perhaps have felt, like
the people who followed US, the attraction
of this aerial being"
"Ah, my dear Gregorio," | responded,
lx-f Iowa Y,naAlU Low. httf
present my regrets to your wife and say
that l shall hope to meet her in little
while at Hyeres."
. Bon voyage, my friend, cried Gregorio
heartily, and with cordial clasp of the
hand we parted for the time being.
Thus it was that l Quilted the hotel with
out ever having seen the Incompatible
woman whose husband adoi ed her as it
happens few women are ever adored in
this world.
One morning about two weeks after my
departure from Paris, l was standing at the
open window of my room contemplating
the Eden of Provence, Hyeres, which Lam
airline graphically styles an oasis, an ex-
quisite miniature Orient Lying beneath
the shadow of the spreading palms, the
sloping hillside and fertile valleys of this
ancient watering place of France, are COW
cred always with the greenest and most
luxuriant vegetation. In the distance
sleeps the sea, not a limitless vista of water
without bounds and without horizon, but
sea like calm blue lake, inclosed in
circling rings by the Golden Isle, and
which recalls to the memory the laughing
CULTS OF the distant 1Egean. Astounded
by the contrast between the snow covered
street of the capital and this marvellous
panorama of beauty, ones soul becomes
peaceful and serene. tits happiness enough
simply to live in the face of this rich plen-
titude of nature.
Suddenly, while stood at the window,
my door was thrown open with a crash,
and the waiting woman of the house, for
getful for once of her cringing obsequious-
ness, rushed into the room. Oh, NJ. BIZ
ron she cried, "a French traveller stop
ping at the Hotel d'Europe has met with
such frightful fall at the old chateau.
They are bringing him home on litter,
and they say nothing can save him.
was soon on my way to the hotel indi-
Gated. The sad procession had Just arrived.
The wounded man, carried hastily to his
room, had regained consciousness, but was
suffering tortures."
Do you know the gentleman, NJ. Gre
gorio, from Dion p asked the manager of
the house, as he respectfully met me at the
door.
IN. Gregorio from Dion? Why, of
course know him. and regardless of my
strangling asthma | bounded up the stair
case and entered the apartment of my poor
friend, a suite of light snd spacious rooms
ON the second floor. The vast quantities of
bouquets and plants scattered ABOUT on the
tables and stands showed what sacrifices of
Lol nl- A..
made to his wifes passion for flowers.
Begging the manager. who had followed
me to the room, to prevent any one enter
ing but the doctor, knelt beside the bed.
You would never have known by looking
at Gregorio that he had suffered this terri
bic fall. Entirely conscious, he recognized
me the moment he saw me.
Why, NJ. Biron,n be said in feeble
voice, lis that you? 1t is well you came
so soon. Lucie and / had promised our
selves TO 20 and see you this very day, but
do not touch me, beg of on, be cried as
l stopped TO arrange his pillows.
should scream with agony, and / DO not
wish to waken Lucie-she is there" and
he turned his eyes to the right, l under
stood that it was in that chamber his wife
reposed.
81 do not know how it happened" he
Gle III AN1ENtAoN W 1ANohANAlos
F." 1 was standing upon the broken battle
ments Of the chateau and suddenly fell
like stone. I must have had dizziness.
l suffer agonies, my bones are all broken.
1t was by the mercy OF God that Lucie was
not with me feeling indisposed to-day she
preferred to remain in her chamber. If she
awakens and finds me in this condition it
will kill her"
Don't talk. Gregorio,' l entreated.
Wait until DR.. Delarue arrives he has
been sent for Meantime I'll turn the key
in your wife's door later on she shall be
told of the accident"
Il understand. You are kind, but pre-
pare her as gently as you cen, and he fixed
upon the door, beyond which his wife lay
sleeping, a look so full. of tenderness that
felt myself most painfully affected.
AT this moment the door into the corri-
dor opened and DR.. Delarue entered the
room He was q small man, with white
hair and a very benevolent countenance.
They tell me you have had a serious
fall, Gregorio," said he, cheerfully, ap-